General Manager of Planning Services

Come live, work, and play on British Columbia’s spectacular Sunshine Coast. The qathet Regional District (qRD) is a progressive local government serving the City of Powell River and five surrounding rural electoral areas, located within the traditional territories of the Tla’amin, shíshálh, Klahoose, Homalco, Nanoose, and K’ómoks First Nations.

Spanning nearly 5,000 square kilometres—from Texada, Savary, and Lasqueti Islands to Toba Inlet in the north and sḵelhp (Saltery Bay) in the south—qRD is home to just over 20,000 residents.

Framed by majestic coastal forests, mountains, and ocean, the region offers an exceptional quality of life. Residents enjoy a vibrant arts and culture scene, community festivals, and outstanding opportunities for outdoor recreation year‑round, including hiking, cycling, boating, fishing, and more. With strong educational opportunities and first‑class facilities for recreation and the arts, qathet is a welcoming coastal community where professional opportunity meets an unparalleled lifestyle.

A Pivotal Leadership Role – General Manager of Planning Services
FULL-TIME, EXEMPT

The General Manager of Planning Services provides strategic and operational leadership for all planning functions of the qathet Regional District. This role guides the department’s mandate, vision, and priorities in alignment with Board and CAO direction, and is accountable for the day-to-day administration and long-term planning of the Planning Services Department. Responsibilities include overseeing planning policy development, subdivision and permit review, provincial and agency referrals, land matters, and regulatory enforcement; maintaining Official Community Plans and planning databases; leading public consultation and community engagement processes; monitoring legislative and policy changes; and conducting research and analysis on factors influencing regional planning.

The position supervises staff, consultants, and contractors; prepares and manages departmental budgets; responds to public inquiries; represents the department at Board and committee meetings; contributes to intergovernmental collaboration; undertakes special projects; and, when required, provides management team coverage to support organizational continuity.

Qualifications include a Master’s degree in planning or related discipline with five (5) years’ directly related experience in local government planning, or a Bachelor’s degree in planning or a related discipline and at least ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in local government planning, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Membership, or eligibility for membership, in the Canadian Institute of Planners and the Planning Institute of BC is essential, along with a minimum of two (2) years’ experience in successfully supervising staff, preferably professional/technical and support staff in planning.

This excluded position has an annual salary range of $113,932- $147,441. The rate of pay is based on a variety of factors including qualifications, knowledge, experience and skills. Hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. The qathet Regional District offers a comprehensive health and benefits package and has a flexible work arrangement program.

General Manager of Planning Services Job Description

The position is open until filled. Interested candidates are requested to forward their covering letter and résumé either by mail, fax or email, marked “Confidential”, to the attention of:
Al Radke, BSBA, CLGM
Chief Administrative Officer
qathet Regional District
#202 – 4675 Marine Avenue
Powell River, B.C. V8A 2L2
Fax: (604) 485-2216

Email: employment@qathet.ca

All applicants are thanked for their interest and advised that only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted